Goodbye to the pool; Pick me up Stella

Allagash, belly up, between Killian and Stella.

Today we said goodbye to the wading pool that we had used as a whelping box and as a bed for the pups since they were born. The sides were getting crushed down and they could get out of it when they wanted to, so it was no longer serving the purpose of confining the puppies. It was time for them to graduate from it anyway, because they needed a place to get away from the nest to do their pooping and peeing.

With just one more 8' board, I made a 3' x 5' bed box in the corner where the pool had been. They can get out of it easily to move away from the bedding to poop and pee, and for the most part, they are already doing so. They aren't always using the pads laid down adjacent to the bed, but they will learn.

This shows the living space with the wading pool removed.
The bed is on the left, bathroom on the right, open area
for play in the front. The entire area is 8' x 8'. 

They have more freedom, and more space to move around in now so they can get more exercise to develop motor skills. They are learning to run, which is comical to watch. They are becoming more and more playful with each other, and are beginning to show some interest in the toys.

Each day we seem to learn something specific and unique to each puppy too. Today's revelation is that Stella really likes being held. Clay mentioned that she would come up to him and sit at his foot, asking to be picked up. When I was going through pictures I had taken today, I discovered one of Stella doing that to me as well. They are all pretty accepting of being held now, but some like Stella really enjoy it and seek it out.

Killian with his paw on Della's nose. They are
playing with Della now too rather than just
feeding off of her. Getting acquainted I guess.
I even heard her first corrective growl today.

They immediately enjoyed the freedom to move
about once the pool was removed.

The water was put in there for Della. It surprised me
to see the puppies drinking from it today.

Della is eating 8 or 9 times over a 24 hour
period, getting up for at least one meal during
the night. She really likes cottage cheese.

There's always one point during the day when we want Della to feed the pups but she refuses.
That's when we cover the floor with papers and break out the puppy feeder with milk replacement.
It's as much a play time as a feeding time. Some have taken to it better than others. I stuck Stella's
nose in it today and she discovered that she liked the taste. Then she busied herself licking it off
the other puppies who had played in it. 

Maya has been incredibly patient with this entire process.
Today I took her to Lowe's when I needed another board to
construct the sleeping box for the puppies.

This shows the newly constructed sleeping box
to hold the blankets and divide the space from
the pooping and playing areas adjacent to it.
The pups can easily step over the barrier.

I've been making a point of getting some play time in from the Danes and Shepherds too, either
in the pasture as shown here, or in the yard while I mow or work on the shed.

This is Stella at my foot wanting to be picked
up and snuggled. No one can resist a request
like that, and the tiny but sharp toe nails
really get your attention. Clay has already
clipped some toe nails to get them used to it.